“For the past two years, the 11 000 entry cut-off has been reached way ahead of
the official closing date, and we expect the same to happen again this year.
Runners should secure their entries early to avoid disappointment.”

To qualify for participation in the Ultra Marathon, runners must complete at
least one sub-five hour full marathon (42.2km) between 1 July 2015 and 22
February 2016. Runners are required to submit their qualifier details by 23
February 2016 or risk forfeiting their entry.

“Runners don’t have to pre-qualify to enter. This means that they can enter
from 21 October and submit their qualifying times any time before 23 February
2016,” adds Ms Vosloo.

South African Ultra Marathon entrants are required to belong to a registered
running club and have a valid running license. No temporary licenses will be
issued to Ultra Marathon runners.

R1 million prize bonus for a new course record

In addition to the prize money that Ultra Marathon winners will take home,
title sponsor Old Mutual has once again issued a R1 million prize bonus to the
winning male and female runner who respectively breaks the Ultra Marathon
record.

The men’s record of 3:03:44 was set in 1988 by road running legend Thompson
Magawana, while Frith van der Merwe set the women’s record in 1989 when she
crossed the finish line in 3:30:36.

Zimbabwean Marko Mambo came close to breaking the record in 2005, when he
finished in a time of 3:05:39, while Russian super-twin Olesya Nurgalieva
recorded a finish time of 3:34:53 in 2008.

2016 will be the 17th year that Old Mutual sponsors this prestigious event.

To
enter online, entrants need a valid credit card. Cheque / debit
cards may also be used for online payments, provided the cards are
chipped, have a CVV number on the back, are embossed (the numbers
protrude, like on a credit card), and have been activated for online
purchases (which requires a phone call to your bank).

Entrants
will be required to complete the online medical questionnaire. It is not
necessary to submit a qualifier upon entering.

Runners
who do not own a RaceTec chip will be required to purchase one for R120.

The 2016 Ultra Marathon fees have
been set as:

R380
for South African residents

R420
for residents from African countries

R1
200 for international residents

Ultra Marathon entries include a
branded technical adidas t-shirt, which usually retails at approx. R399.

Changes to the Half Marathon entry process

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon is one of the most popular events of
its kind in the country, with online entries being sold out within minutes.

In 2015 an online queueing system was successfully introduced to streamline the
flow of runners into the entry system. By the time eneral Entries had closed,
there were still approximately 5 000 runners in the queue, hoping to secure a
coveted Half Marathon entry!

The
Half Marathon is once again limited to 16 000 entries:

Blue
and Light Blue Number holders may enter from 10h00 on Wednesday, 4
November (by invitation only).

Runners
with valid SA running club licenses may enter from 10h00 on Wednesday, 11
November.

General
entries open at 10h00 on Saturday, 14 November 2015.

Entries will be
limited during these three entry waves to ensure that everyone gets a fair
chance to secure a spot at the start line.

“The two biggest updates to the Half Marathon entry system are the introduction
of bulk payments by running club representatives on 11 November, and the fact
that general entries will open on a Saturday,” explains Ms Vosloo.

“We are aware that there are many runners who may not have the necessary means
to enter online. With this in mind, we have updated the entry system to allow
SA running club members to update their profiles and capture their club details
from 22 October 2015. On 11 November, club secretaries or club representatives
will then be able to make bulk payments of between 10 and 20 entries, on behalf
of their members.”

“In addition, many runners were concerned about missing out on entering during
the week due to work commitments. We therefore took the bold step to open
general entries on a Saturday this year.”

Half Marathon entry fees are R140 for South African residents, R250 for runners
from African countries, and R650 for International participants. Runners that
do not belong to a South African running club will be required to purchase a
day license for R35, while individuals who do not own a RaceTec chip will be
prompted to buy one for R120. Entrants will also have the option to purchase an
OMTOM-branded t-shirt from technical sponsor, adidas.

Entries into the popular Trail Runs will open at 10h00 on 26 November, with a
limit of 500 runners for the 10km and 22km routes respectively. Trail entries
sold out within minutes in 2014, and it is expected to happen again this year.

For more information on the entry process, dates and deadlines, please contact info@twooceansmarathon.org.za,
or call the organisers on 0861 262326 / 021 799 3040.